Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will host Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match 44 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. Led by captain KL Rahul, LSG will go into the match having defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a high-scoring match in Chennai. With five wins and three losses, LSG are currently fourth in the IPL 2024 standings with 10 points. On the other hand, Sanju Samson-led RR have been the most dominant team in the IPL 2024 so far.
After registering seven wins and suffering just one defeat, RR sit at the top of the IPL 2024 standings with 14 points.
Ahead of another crucial IPL clash in 2024, we take a look at the predicted XIs of both sides.
LSG predicted XI
Quinton de Kock
LSG's swashbuckling opening batsman Quinton de Kock has scored 228 runs in eight matches in IPL 2024. The left-hander already has three fifties to his name this season and will be aiming to put up another big score against RR.
KL Rahul (captain/wicketkeeper)
Captain KL Rahul has led from the front for LSG this season. The stylish right-handed batsman is LSG's leading run-scorer in IPL 2024, having amassed 302 runs in eight matches, with two fifties to his name. Rahul will look to continue his scintillating form on Saturday.
Marcus Stoinis
Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis produced a magnificent strike to help LSG chase down 211 against hosts CSK in their last match. Batting at number 3, Stoinis hit an unbeaten 124 off just 63 balls, peppered with 13 fours and six maximums. He will look to contribute with both bat and ball after scoring 254 runs and taking two wickets this season.
Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran has been one of the most consistent performers with the bat for LSG in IPL 2024. The explosive left-handed batsman has amassed 280 runs in eight matches at an average of 70 and a strike rate of 169.69. Pooran could be the game-changer for LSG against a quality RR bowling line-up.
Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda scored a match-winning cameo of 17 not out from just six balls to help LSG secure a memorable win against CSK in Chennai. Batting at number 6, Hooda forged an incredible 55-run stand with Stoinis to guide LSG to a brilliant win. He could play a key role again against RR.
Ayush Badoni
Young Ayush Badoni has batted at various positions for LSG this season. The right-handed batsman scored 113 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 124.17. He will try to make a useful contribution again on Saturday.
Krunal Pandya
Experienced Krunal Pandya is a key player for LSG with both bat and ball. The 33-year-old all-rounder has collected five wickets and scored 58 runs in eight matches in IPL 2024. He could play a crucial role against an in-form Rajasthan team with his all-round skills.
Matt Henry
LSG pacer Matt Henry produced a quality spell against CSK in a high-scoring encounter in their previous outing. The right-arm pacer dismissed Ajinkya Rahane to finish with figures of 4-0-28-1 and will look to provide early breakthroughs against a top-heavy RR batting line-up.
Ravi Bishnoi
LSG's star legspinner Ravi Bishnoi has scalped five wickets in eight matches this season. Despite bowling at a decent economical rate of 8.47, LSG will expect more wickets from their talented spinner.
Mohsin Khan
Mohsin Khan has been one of the standout bowlers for LSG in IPL 2024. The 25-year-old left-arm pacer has already claimed seven wickets in five matches at an average of 27.85 and will look to add to his tally of wickets on Saturday.
Yas Thakur
Right-arm pacer Yash Thakur has been LSG's leading wicket-taker this season. Thakur has already taken nine wickets in seven matches at an average of 28.77 and will hold the key for LSG in the bowling department against the Royals.
Impact sub
Mayank Yadav/Devdutt Padikkal
RR predicted XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal
RR's flamboyant opener Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to form with a match-winning century against Mumbai Indians in their last match. Chasing 180, Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 104 off just 60 balls to guide RR to a nine-wicket win in Jaipur and the left-hander will look to continue his form against LSG.
Josh Butler
Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner Jos Buttler has also been in excellent form this season. Buttler has scored 285 runs in seven matches at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 146.90, including a stunning ton against KKR, and he will be aiming to produce another big knock in Lucknow.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has been one of the standout players for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has amassed 314 runs in eight matches at an average of 62.80 and a strike rate of 152.42. He will have to continue his form to make a claim for the Indian T20 World Cup squad.
Riyan Parag
Young Riyan Parag has been the leading run-scorer for RR so far this season. Parag is at number 4 and has amassed 318 runs in eight matches at an average of 63.60 and a strike rate of 161.42. He will once again hold the key in the middle for the Royals and will hope to maintain his position as RR's top scorer this season.
Dhruv Jurel
India international Dhruv Jurel is another quality addition to RR's squad. The Indian youngster has scored 50 runs in five innings in IPL 2024. With RR's top shots, Jurel has had limited opportunities and will be looking to impress in Lucknow.
Shimron Hetmyer
West Indies' explosive batsman Shimron Hetmyer was one of the top players in T20 cricket. Hetmyer has scored 70 runs in limited opportunities with an impressive strike rate of 194.44. He will look to contribute against LSG if an opportunity arises.
Rovman Powell
West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell is a match-winner on his day. The 30-year-old has made three appearances for the Royals this season and has also made a number of useful contributions. He is expected to retain his place in RR's XI against LSG.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Veteran cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin can contribute with both bat and ball in the T20 format. However, Ashwin has picked up just one wicket this season, scoring 53 runs in seven matches. Ashwin will look to bounce back with an all-round performance in Lucknow.
Trent Boult
RR's star pacer Trent Boult has provided early breakthroughs for the Royals so far in IPL 2024. The left-arm fast bowler has scalped nine wickets in eight matches at an economy of 7.46 and could spell trouble for the LSG batting line-up on Saturday to take.
Avesh Khan
Indian Avesh Khan has been a wicket-taker for RR this season. The right-arm pacer has claimed eight wickets in as many games at an economy of 9.41. Avesh could be crucial in the middle overs against LSG.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal was the joint leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024. The star leg-spinner has already bagged 13 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 8.83. He could be the Royals' main wrecker in Lucknow again.
Impact sub
Sandeep Sharma
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